Italy Seizes Tuvalu-Flagged Ship Carrying Russian Metals In Suspected Sanctions Breach

Italian authorities have seized a Tuvalu-flagged bulk carrier at the port of Brindisi after determining that it had transported Russian-origin ferrous metals in a suspected breach of European Union sanctions imposed on Moscow.

The ship arrived in Brindisi from the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and was carrying about 33,000 tonnes of ferrous metals, according to reports by Italian news agency ANSA.

Maritime tracking data identified the vessel as the bulk carrier Hızır Reis, previously named Isolda.

The seizure was carried out by Italy’s Guardia di Finanza and the Customs Agency, under the coordination of the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Brindisi. The action was later confirmed by the Court of Brindisi.

According to investigators, inspections carried out after the ship’s arrival revealed serious irregularities in onboard documentation, including falsifications and inconsistencies related to the vessel’s port calls and cargo loading history.

Visual evidence from the port showed that the vessel bore no visible logos or identifying markings.

Further analysis of data extracted from the ship’s Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) confirmed that the vessel had been present in Novorossiysk between 13 and 16 November 2025, during which it conducted cargo loading operations.

Investigators stated that the port is considered sanctioned under current EU restrictive measures.

Authorities also found that the ship’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) had been switched off near the Russian port. Investigators believe this was done to avoid tracking and hinder monitoring by authorities.

ANSA reported that the seizure is directly linked to enforcement measures introduced under the EU sanctions regime following the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

As part of the ongoing investigation, four people are under scrutiny, including the importer, the shipowner, and two crew members. They are suspected of jointly violating EU restrictive measures.

Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that at least 20 per cent of vessels associated with the shadow fleet had been halted.

The Wall Street Journal noted that following the seizure of several oil tankers and warnings from US authorities, some vessels carrying sanctioned oil had begun reflagging under Russia, although such efforts appeared to be losing effectiveness.

Separately, Bloomberg reported that the oil tanker Arcusat, described in maritime databases as having “never existed”, reversed course near German waters earlier this month and sailed back towards Russia’s Arctic coastline, likely after being denied entry.

References: ANSA, APA